Worried about Amniocentesis

[worriedmummy]

I have just got my results back from the Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound (1:259) and have been told by my Obstetrician that I fall into the high risk category for Downs and should have a Amniocentesis. I was absolutely shocked as I am only 29 and already have 2 perfectly healthy children. The report from the test said that I have an increased risk for Trisomy 21 because of elevated free Beta HCG levels, but the ultrasound was in the normal range. I have heard that amnio's can cause miscarriage and am dreadfully fearful that I may lose a perfectly healthy baby. But at the same time I do not want to spend the rest of my pregnancy stressing that my baby may have Downs. Has anyone been in the same situation as me or had an Amniocentesis? How safe is it? And how reliable is the Nuchal Translucency Test?

[the_queen]

Look at it like this: According to that test, you have a 258:259 chance of having a child without DS.
Much greater chance of DS not being present.

I had an amnio. It is scary, it is stressful. The miscarriage rate really depends upon the doctor performing the test. Feel free to really question the doctor about how many amnio's s/he has done, how many of those ended in miscarriage, etc etc.

:hugs:

My amnio wasn't connected to the NT test. My daughter was found to have a congenital abnormality, which could be a part of a bigger chromosomal problem. I too was worried about the possibility of miscarrying a perfectly normal baby. I decided that the stress of "not knowing" was worse than anything else. You just have to weigh up the risks for yourself.
:hugs: :hugs: :hugs:

[angelickaren]

hi my girlfriend was also worried too in having one as she was 37 and the drs told her she should really have one so she was really scared like you and she had one done she told me it was a lillte uncomfortable amd she had cramping for a day or so they told her that was normal as the utrues was healing it self but she has had her baby boy 4 weeks ago now so i would ask questions till i was blue in the face and you will have to weigh up the options
goodluck :thumbsup:

[CarolineF]

At aged 30 I had a triple test that came back with a
1:28 risk of DS. I had an amnio and all was OK.

With my second pregnancy I was 37 (38 when she was born). I skipped the NT and other blood tests and went straight to the amnio. Again the results came back ok and I had another very healthy child.

The risk with an amnio is largely due to the skill of the doctor. Ask lots of questions etc make sure they perform plenty of them, ask them for their miscarriage rate.

Its a bit uncomfortable, but by far the worse aspect of it all is the wait for the results. I would do it again if i embarked upon a third pregnancy .

Feel free to pm me if you are worried or have questions. I had my second amnio in Brisbane last Autumn.

[mikaylasmummy]

Oh hun I know exactly how you feel when I had my 14 week scan I had a 1-239 chance that Mikayla was born with downs I was so scared and worried that if it turned out that she did how wuld we be financially able to support her.
At that time we didn't know the sex of her and we were told that with amnio you get a 100% chance of knowing your babies sex... anyway I am :ecomcity: :ecomcity: now.

In relation to your worry aout miscarry. There is a chance that it possible but it is a very low chance I was told by my hospital that after I had mine done to rest for 24-48hrs, very small body movement, no stretching, running, just basically stitting down or lying in bed. The more movement that you do in this time the higher the risk that you may miscarry

[jessica]

Our stats for bub 2 (due date Jun 07) were 1:450 - stats for bub 1 (now 2 and a half yrs) were 1:6500!!! So I have been stresing out all pregnancy (not a nice feeling) - we didn't have an amino because we weren't considered high risk BUT a friend had stats of 1:2500 and had a beautiful downs baby - imagine her shock as she hadn't even thought it a risk!! statisitcs can be so scary but also so unreliable!!

In saying this I still have the next three months of worry ahead of me - If I was in the high risk (below 1"350) would I have an aminio??? I'm still not sure!!!:confused:

[M O P]

:hugs: It's a very stressful time.
I had an amnio a month ago with a 1:134 risk of Downs. I decided to have the amnio even though I would have still proceeded with the pregnancy anyway as then we'd be prepared or I could relax if the results came back fine (which they did). It was hard to know what to do but now I know everything's ok so it's a huge weight lifted.

The info my Obs sent me regarding the amnio said only 1 in 25 amnios performed actually have a baby with a problem- this made me feel pretty confident and the 1:200 chance of miscarriage was fine with me, that was a less chance than our baby having DS.

The actual amnio, as daunting as it was to think about, went very well. I had a great Obs performing it, in a specialist amnio clinic, and a lovely nurse assisting-holding my hand. It didn't actually hurt,it was more just uncomfortable. It was similar to the feeling of having an injection in your tummy. The actual needle part didn't take long either. Afterwards it felt like the feeling you get after having an injection. It is very important to take it easy afterwards and no housework for a week :) . Seriously- don't take any risks with the 1 in 200 chance of a miscarriage.

I hope it all goes well for you whatever you decide.

[sueb31]

In relation to your question, I don't have teh exact stats but it is my understanding tahht the nuchal is a lot more specific at picking up problems than the blood tests. I think the figures are fairly high for false positives with teh blood tests, which means they say there is a problem when there isn't one.

Don't know if any of that helps. All the best with your decision, it is a very hard time.

Sue